"Clear Case Of Ragging": Calcutta HC Directs IIT KGP To Specify Steps Take In Case Of Unnatural Death Of Student

The Calcutta High Court has directed the Director of IIT Kharagpur to file a report before the Court pertaining to the case of the unnatural death of a 23-year-old student. Calling it a clear case of 'ragging', the Court has also sought the name of students involved in the 'ragging'.

"This Court is interested to know as to what steps have been taken by the said wardens and the Management of the IIT, Kharagpur after receipt of information of what appears to this Court to be a clear case of ragging."

The Court issued this order while dealing with a Plea moved by the father of the student (Faizan Ahmed) hailing from Assam's Tinsukia whose body was reportedly found in a hostel room of the Institute on October 14.

The bench of Justice Rajasekhar Mantha perused the report filed by the police officer concerned who is probing the matter and found that it mentioned the fact about serious complaints from Second Year Under-Graduate students of being physically and mentally harassed by a group of seniors.

The Court was also informed by the Additional Superintendent of Police, Paschim Medinipur that the investigation is on and the FSL report and some other materials are awaited.

In view of this, the Court requested the Additional Superintendent of Police concerned to leave no stone unturned and explore all and every avenue to ascertain the truth behind the death of Faizan Ahmed.

Further, the Director, FSL, Kolkata was also asked to ensure that the report in respect of the viscera of Faizan Ahmed, is supplied to the Additional S.P., immediately, but not later than Monday (14.11.2022).

Consequently, the matter was adjourned to November 22, 2022, for further consideration with a direction to the IIT authorities to extend all cooperation with the police in this regard.

Case title - Salim Ahmed & Anr. v. The State of West Bengal & Ors.

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